Max POV

I looked around me. All I could see was…gray. I mean seriously! I don't know if the stuff around me was grass, dirt, or who knows what. It was just….gray.

"This is pleasant," I remarked dryly to the air. The only answer I got was the gentle whoosh of the wind. You know, it could have been thundering and aliens from Mars could have been attacking earth or giant evil bunnies could be dominating the world, but you know what? It would have been impossible to know. The place was so quiet and…gray. The sky was gray, the ground was gray. Usually the world is only gray like this when there is an awful storm and the end of the human race is coming….. Oops, been watching too many End-of-the-Earth stuff I guess.

"Voice, if you're creating this illusion, remind me to kill you when I get out of here," I muttered.

I'm not doing this. And you can get out of here whenever you want. Just wake up.

Well, long time no listen, Voice.

Max, you have to save the world. This is important. Itex has created new hybrids to stop you.

Lalalalala, blah blah, oh, for cripes sake, enough with saving the world already! I've been doing important stuff for you ever since you "created" me. What is it now?!

Remember Omega? These new hybrids, they're your….they are your…th..I can't…I don't….

Any day now…

Max, these new hybrids, they're your cousins. Actually they're the flock's cousins.

So you're saying that Itex has created a New Flock?

Not necessarily a New Flock. This Flock is a mirror image of your own. Remember, they're your and the Flock's cousins. This Flock had been created secretly without my knowledge and taught without my knowledge. They have been observing the Flock's every movement, every thought, ever since you were created. The thing is Max…..they understand your Flock probably better than they understand themselves. Then Itex engineered them to be stronger, quicker, and smarter than your flock. The results of this are that they have a slightly shorter lifespan and they can't develop powers like you can. But the point, Max, is that they are better than you and your flock. As of this moment, none of you are any match for them.

Shocked into silence, I said nothing. The information he had given me was very confusing…and not to mention a bit scary.. I have evil cousins that have formed their own flock. Not only that, but my flock is no match for theirs'? It was a little hard to imagine. As hybrids, all of us, even Gazzy and Nudge (Angel has her very scary and powerful mind powers) are incredibly excellent fighters. Sure, slightly overpower, but no match? I felt a shiver run down my spine.

Max, the ranks in the other flock are all different too. The girl you saw in the mirror before you passed out….that was Xam. She loves to brag, so, no surprise she appeared to you. She isn't the leader of the flock, like you are. She's second in command. Blade's the leader. He's like Fang. Aqua replaces Iggy's position and Zane replaces Nudge. Brianna replaces Gazzy and Demon takes Angel's place. Got it? Blade, Xam, Aqua, Zane, Brianna, and Demon.

Wait, how did Xam appear before me? I thought you said they didn't have any powers.

That's right Max, they don't. Xam used some new device Itex created that allows you to send messages to anyone whenever you want. The Other Flock has this equipment with them, so obviously they have their advantages. Also, Angel's mind powers won't work on them. The strength of their minds is way beyond normal and too hard for her to penetrate let alone control.

I sighed. This was going to be hard to defeat them. If it was possible.

"There's always a plan," I muttered. Suddenly, I hear footsteps.

"Max?" asked a dark, slightly worried voice.

"Fang?" I questioned, turning around.

Oh, now you're in my dream too, I thought as the tall figure stared at me in disbelief.

"I was going to say the same thing…" Fang trailed off. We looked at each other. Oh my god.

Fang?

Yeah, Max?

We can talk to each other now without-

Talking? Yeah, I think so.

Oh, sweet mother-

Max, did you happen to pass out before coming here?

How'd you know that?

I passed out too.

We stared at each other and laughed nervously.

Freaky.

Ya think? answered Fang.

"Max! Are you here? I can hear you and Fang talking!" yelled Iggy.

Iggy?

Whoa, I can hear you in my thou- wait, a second, why is Max's voice in my thoughts?

No idea, thought Fang.

Man, I must have ate too much candy last night, thought Iggy.

Iggy, this isn't a dream. Here, I'll prove it to you. Did you pass out before you got here? I thought.

…that's not funny, guys, thought Iggy.

Angel! Hurry up! I can hear Max, Fang, and Iggy talki-

You mean thinking, I said.

Max? thought Angel.

Yeah, sweetie?

How come all of us passed out before coming here?

……

How did you know everyone passed out? asked Fang.

You guys think really loud and besides, Gazzy, Nudge, and I all passed out at the same time, answered Angel.

Yeah, and I felt really sick and dizzy! piped Nudge.

You know, this is so cool! We'll be able to talk without talking! And I can chat with everyone forever! Yay! Oh my gosh, this is so coo-

Nudge, don't think so loud, thought Iggy with an irritated expression.

Sorry!

Guys, what if there was….say another flock? An evil flock? That Itex created? You know, to kill us. And what if we can't beat them? I thought. I always hate being the party pooper, but hey, someone's got to bring the bad news.

Everyone became silent and looked at me. I looked at the gray ground and tapped my toe on the ground. Suddenly, my shoes were so interesting.

"Did the Voice tell you this?" guessed Fang quietly. I nodded.

"Wait a second Max. Did you say new flock? Better? Evil? Itex? Kill us?" blurted Gazzy. I looked him in the eye and nodded. All at once, all of us thought separate thoughts.

Crap, thought Fang.

Shit, thought Iggy.

Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Un-

Gazzy! I scolded.

Oh no, thought Angel who had searched my mind and learned everything I knew.

Heck! exclaimed Nudge.

Then the gray atmosphere shook and I began to regain conscious.